U.S. President Joe Biden expressed optimism on Friday about the potential to prevent an all-out war between Israel and Iran, though he appeared less confident about an imminent ceasefire in Gaza. Speaking in Berlin after meeting with the leaders of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, Biden said there may be an opportunity to manage the conflict between Israel and Iran to avoid further escalation.
“There’s an opportunity, in my view—and my colleagues agree—that we can probably manage Israel and Iran in a way that stops the back-and-forth for a while,” Biden stated. His comments reflect a possible shift in the U.S. stance, as efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East have become a priority.
Biden's remarks come after the U.S. State Department suggested last week that a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel is no longer a priority, as Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group, is "on the back foot" after the killing of several of its leaders. Speculation about an Israeli strike on Iran has been rising after Tehran launched missiles at Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah.
When asked about Israel's potential response to Iranian attacks, Biden briefly commented, saying, “Yes and yes,” but declined to give further details.
Despite Washington's previous opposition to an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear or oil facilities, the growing tensions raise questions about how the U.S. and its European allies plan to prevent a broader conflict from spiraling out of control.
Regarding Gaza, Biden’s outlook was less hopeful. After the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar earlier in the week, Biden signaled that a ceasefire there remains distant. "We think there’s a possibility of working for a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said, "but it’s going to be harder in Gaza."
Biden had previously referred to Sinwar’s death as an "opportunity" for progress in Gaza, and on Thursday, he congratulated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call for the operation that led to Sinwar’s death. However, the Israeli offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 42,500 Palestinians and displaced nearly the entire population, sparking accusations of ethnic cleansing in northern Gaza.
The U.S. continues to provide significant military aid to Israel, with Biden approving an additional $14 billion in aid since the war began in October 2023, despite ongoing concerns about human rights violations in Gaza.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Hezbollah has intensified its conflict with Israel, maintaining rocket fire and inflicting casualties on Israeli forces. The group announced it is entering a new “escalatory phase” in the coming days, signaling further violence in the region.
As the situation continues to evolve, Biden and other world leaders face growing pressure to manage multiple conflicts in the Middle East, while balancing international alliances and domestic political concerns.
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